Mississippi Bullfrog

Same here - it's a good fit especially with the large top box on the Honda. Snug enough not to flap around but not too tight so it's a struggle to fit. I'm also waiting to see how waterproof it is - which ought to get tested today as it's chucking it down. The material seems pretty robust. I'm at one of our local hospitals later so plan to take the cover in the top box and put it over the bike whilst I'm there - I hate coming back to a wet seat. My one area of concern is how well it copes with not hazing paintwork. I've known people fit cover that move with the wind and cause very fine marks on paintwork. Not an issue on the Honda but I'd be miffed if the Bobber's tank got marked. As a winter cover for the Bobber whilst in the garage I guess I'd put a towel over the tank to make sure. It would keep a lot of dust and spider crap off it. For the price of them I'd be pretty pleased if I'd paid for it.

Check with Stu - I was invited to review a cover, and I think some other people have as well. It turned out to be legit. In this case it's a rather good cover so I'm happy with the invitation.

I agree with checking the main earth but also have you ever fully charged the new battery with a trickle charger? The volts showing 12.5 doesn't mean it's fully charged. Low voltage will do all sorts of strange things. If the charge is low hitting the starter will cause the battery voltage to collapse.

"He's been told by the salesman...." Well at least there's another job Boris is cut out for when he loses his current one.

For me it depends on the price, condition, service history rather than the mileage alone. I bought my commuter bike with 23k on it - it was cheap, had all the things I wanted fitted and was obviously well maintained. It's been fine. Given the difference of only £1,000 I'd had gone for the lower mileage one all other things being equal. I wouldn't be put off by 20k on the bike, but you might want to haggle a bit harder on the price.

Here's a hint for the wise. You get on your bike in the dark and whilst the back of the bike is near the garage door you think it's worth checking that the brake light is working. Rear brake - fine. Front brake - no brake light. Hmmm...that's odd. Better off to check the micro switch. Just remember to put the side stand back down BEFORE you get off the bike. Otherwise you will feel a right nob when the bike is on its side on the drive. And yes - the front switch has packed up.

Reminds me of the young guy I had to run an ID check on a few years back. He got really upset when I asked for his passport. Apparently I was meant to know who he was because he earned a living kicking a ball around for some club in Manchester called United.

Our local Tesco (when I say local I mean 10 miles away) has a parking space for bikes. One space for bikes when there are hundreds for cars. But there's always some clot who parks their car in that slot. Thumbs up to the biker who parked their bike across the back of the car in that slot

I sent them an email last night, got a reply this morning saying to go down and meet them, only a small group 35 members, this one is also £12 to join, but you do get affiliated with BMF and MAG which could be a bonus as some insurance companies offer extra discount for being a club member Bikesure give a discount for being a member of this forum. They didn't for me.

It's a pile them high sell them cheap operation, with no customer support if it goes wrong. If you're careful and lucky you can get a good deal, but it's a case of buyer beware.

Our nearest neighbour is about half a mile away so I have no worries on that score. Good job too with over half a million bees in the garden.

A quick Auto trader search shows your chosen bike brand new at £4.5k and a two year old for around £3k so about that much. Why don't you come and buy my CG125? It'll cost you way less than you'll lose in depreciation and in a couple of years you can probably sell it on for what you paid for it. Everyone needs to have a CG125 at some point in their riding history. It's compulsory, like if you've never driven an original Mini then you've never really driven. Dead simple and totally reliable. Not sexy or particularly fast but it will never let you down. And easy to ride, good for parts, cheap to insure. What's not to like!

With a cold engine you won't have any pressure to cause a hiss when you take the rad cap off. As others have said, it's almost certainly water from the washing.

Try a local broker. We had some silly quotes when we moved house, partly because just moving address throws a spanner in the works with many companies.

Agreed, buy a decent used Japanese 125. Look after it and you won't lose much (if anything) when you upgrade. Riding the 125 will be much better than your current bike and be better preparation for the bigger bike when you're 19.

Have you been into a dealership with a good range and just sat on various bikes? You really need to get your bum onto a bike to know what feels right. Many bikes come with various riding modes so if you're worried about it being a handful see if there's something you like with a rain mode. That way you can get to grips with it without unleashing its full power. But you'll probably adapt to most midrange bikes pretty quickly.

Today I was filtering through busy traffic being my usual careful and courteous self, wearing my textiles with a hi viz vest, boots, gloves, flip front helmet. Approaching one set of lights I sussed they were about to change so slotted in behind a car and moved off smoothly with the flow. When screaming between the lines of cars come this guy on a twist and go scooter. Open face helmet, t shirt, shorts and open sandals. No gloves. But written across the back of his t shirt was the logo....By the grace of God. He was cutting his way through the traffic like a homesick angel, which made me wonder if I wasn't being just a tad over cautious?

On the basis that you'll probably want to change after two years anyway I'd go for the 500. Plenty of people very happy with them.

A lot of artics tow a trailer so it's not unusual.

You should be fine, but take a copy of your old certificates if you have any. It shows why you're going to that MOT place. I've known classic car guys try to get a car home using a pre-booked MOT and plod has picked them up. In that case it's a giveaway as the MOT place is near their home address whereas the car still shows as being registered at an address miles away. So the distance can be an issue they'll check if they think you're pulling a dodgy arrangement. That won't apply in your situation so you'll be fine. Last few cars I did I used a tester 30+ miles away as they knew classic cars. Never had a problem.

Same reason they put indicators on BMWs and Audis.

Blimey, I know your Uncle Derrick, he used to teach me woodwork at school. I'm glad to hear one of his fingers has grown back.

I find riding a bike is much more engaging than driving a car. You've got a lot more to think about as well as it being more physical. So my answer is that riding a bike is tiring, especially in hot weather.

Buy a Bobber. No pillion seat. Sorted.

My mum hit a dog in her old Mini. The dog was fine. The Mini disintegrated. Mind you, it was 90% rust held together with filler and newspaper.